Jakob-von-Keith-Denkmal: A Scot's Prussian Legacy

The Jakob-von-Keith-Denkmal on Berlin's Zietenplatz commemorates James Francis Edward Keith, a Scottish soldier who rose to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall in the Prussian Army. The monument is part of a historical ensemble honoring the generals of Frederick the Great.

The Journey of a Jacobite General

James Francis Edward Keith (1696–1758) was a Scottish Jacobite whose participation in the failed risings of 1715 and 1719 forced him into exile. His military career took him across Europe, first serving in the Spanish army before joining the Imperial Russian Army in 1728. In Russia, he achieved the rank of General of Infantry and served as the de facto Vice-Roy of Finland during the Russo-Swedish War.

In 1747, at the age of 51, Keith entered the service of Frederick the Great of Prussia. He was immediately appointed a Field Marshal and became one of the king's most trusted commanders during the Seven Years' War. Keith distinguished himself in battles like the Siege of Prague in 1757 but was ultimately killed in action at the Battle of Hochkirch on October 14, 1758. Following his death, Frederick the Great ordered his remains transferred to the garrison church of Berlin.

A Monument Through Time

The original monument to Keith was a Neoclassical marble statue created in 1786 by sculptor Jean Pierre Antoine Tassaert. It was part of a group of six statues commissioned by Frederick the Great to honor his generals from the Silesian Wars. Since 1904, this original marble version has been housed in the Bode Museum.

The statue seen today on Zietenplatz is a bronze replica cast in 1862 by August Kiss. This replica has moved several times throughout its history. Originally on Wilhelmplatz, it was relocated in 1936, stored during World War II, and briefly displayed in the Lustgarten in 1987 before being installed at its current location in 2009 through an initiative by the Schadow-Gesellschaft.

The Statue's Current State

Located in Berlin-Mitte, the bronze monument rests on a granite plinth and serves as a public historical marker. However, the statue has fallen into a state of disrepair. As of 2020, the monument was described as neglected, with the figure's spurs missing and the plinth damaged by vandalism. Despite efforts from private sponsors, funds for restoration have not yet been secured from monument protection authorities.

A Legacy in Prussia and Scotland

Keith's legacy extends beyond his military achievements. He and his brother, George Keith, were both exiled Jacobites who shared a friendly relationship with Frederick the Great. Jakob von Keith was also a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences and one of the first Freemasons active in Russia, mastering a lodge in Saint Petersburg. In a testament to his loyalty, King William I of Prussia gifted a replica of the Berlin statue to Keith's Scottish birthplace, Peterhead, in 1868.